Editor's Pick of the Week: Gareth Southgate's septic tank, clubbing in Ripon and 'top sauce' in Harrogate

Gareth Southgate’s septic tank was back in the news this week when the former England manager received planning permission to upgrade it and rebuild a dry stone wall in the garden of his home near Harrogate.

Curiously, Historic England requested a site visit for what appeared to be an innocuous application before granting its seal of approval. I wonder if staff were more interested in the prospect of tea and biscuits followed by selfies in the garden with Southgate, who is by all accounts extremely well liked around Swinsty.

Imagine being a pub chef and discovering one of your customers is Pierre Koffmann, a near-octogenarian Frenchman with three Michelin stars known as the ‘culinary Pele’. No pressure there then.

It happened this week at Three’s a Crowd on West Park in Harrogate. Much respect to the staff for not only holding their nerve but also for winning Monsieur Koffmann’s approval. He squiggled on a menu: “Excellent meat. Top Sauce.” Rarely can four words have brought more joy — and relief.

It’s a while since I’ve been to Three’s a Crowd, but even longer since I went to a nightclub. The only reason these days would be to embarrass my daughter. So I’m not sure I’ll be contributing to the coffers of the newly opened DeFacto in Ripon anytime soon.

DeFacto, which is on the same site as the former Wonderland, is billed as the last remaining nightclub in the Harrogate district. Clubbing, once a big thing, appears to be on its last legs.

Elsewhere in Ripon, Kirkgate resident Stanley Mackintosh’s anti-Ripon Cathedral annexe expansion posters, which include a cartoon of the dean with a chainsaw, continue to baffle tourists and irk planning officers. North Yorkshire Council has told Mr Mackintosh to remove them on the basis they’re advertising; he says it’s a matter of free speech and is refusing.

Finally, with the nights drawing in we look at some other prickly characters — hedgehogs. Halloween and Bonfire Night are the most dangerous time of year for them. Read our article here about the Nidderdale couple battling to protect them.